The National Park Service (NPS) will commemorate Veterans Day by waiving all entrance fees Veterans Day weekend (November 11-13). Fees will be waived at more than 100 national parks including the seven parks in National Capital Region (NCR) that normally charge entrance fees. There are 397 National Parks located across the country; most do not have entrance fees.

The national parks waiving entrance fees usually charge between $3 and $25 for admission. The waiver does not include other fees collected in advance or by contractors-such as fees charged for camping, reservations, tours and some concessions. For a listing of participating parks visit www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm.

“America’s national parks have close ties to all those who have served, or are serving, in the military,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis.

“Veterans Day Weekend is the perfect time to visit national parks in the Greater Washington D.C. area to pay tribute to those who have served,” said Regional Director, Steve Whitesell. “Some of the special events taking place this weekend include: Veterans Day Ceremonies at the World War II Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Storytelling at the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, and Armistice Day at Antietam National Battlefield.”

Information to help plan park adventures is available at park entrance stations, at visitor centers or the National Park Service website at www.nps.gov.

In 2012, the NPS will offer fee free days on January 14 to 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend), April 21 to 29 (National Park Week), June 9 (Get Outdoors Day), September 29 (National Public Lands Day), and November 10 to 12 (Veterans Day weekend). More information is available at www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.